Papa-Dennis-Says

The case of the Attack Basketball

2011-12-19T16:05:00.001-05:00

The case of the Attack Basketball. Yes, you heard correctly. If basketball is mentioned while I am in the company of my co-workers, you will find that all of their eyes suddenly turn towards me, especially if the discussion is about the game being played by any of our co-workers.

About nine years ago my colleagues invited the old man of the group, "Me" to play basketball with them at a local gymnasium. the gymnasium was at a church and actually had a nice kitchen at one end that was used as a concession stand by the church leagues.

We played full court basketball and by the end of a half hour, I was barely able to walk from one end to the other as the game progressed. Finally the group took time to drink some water and catch our breath. After a long gulp of water at the water fountain, I moved away and was about to lean back against the wall. Someone had kicked the basketball and it rolled innocently towards me from my blind side and as I sat my foot down, it accidentically fell on the rounded part of the basketball, and caused me to fall backwards.

I was going to lean against the wall anyway so, I let myself stay off balance and laid back heavily against what I believed to be a solid wall. It wasn't and I fell backwards hard through a set of swinging doors and thudded to a concrete floor knocking the breath out of me for a moment. The doors had swung open hard, slammed against the walls and slammed shut.

My colleagues rushed to my rescue thinking that I was seriously hurt, when in fact my biggest pain was my awkwardness and embarrassment. As they helped pick me up off the floor and asked me what had happened, I quietly asked who brought the basketball.

The warehouse supervisor where I worked said that he had supplied the basketball. The expression on everyone's face seemed to say he's got a concussion and now he's asking really stupid questions. I simply looked at him and quietly said " Don't bring that attack basketball with you, if you want me to play".

It is now nine years later and they still ride me about the "Attack Basketball".

Another Papa Dennis Says moment in history.

December 1941 "What a memorable Month and Year in History"

2011-12-03T23:32:00.000-05:00

Today, Few remember that day that will live in Infamy. December 7th, 1941, when the US Pacific Fleet were attacked by the Japanese Navy and the United States declared war on Japan the following day on December 8th 1941.

December 1st Civil Air Patrol organizes
December 2nd., Naval Intelligence ceases bugging of Japanese Consul
December 3rd., Japenese Fleet in route to Pearl Harbor, Hitler views Poltava Ukraine
December 4th., Nazi places Jews of Poland outside protection of courts
December 5th., US Aircraft Carrier Lexington and 5 heavy Cruisers leave Pearl Harbor
December 6th., Dutch and British Pilots see Japanese Invasion Fleet at Singapore and NYC council agree to build Idewild, (Kennedy) Airport in Queens.
December 7th., Japan attacks Pearl Harbor inflicting severe damage to United States Naval Fleet.

Picture from Japanese Attack Plane

December 8th., The United States declares war with Japan. Britain also declares war on Japan.
December 9th., China declares war on Japan, Germany and Italy. Hitler orders US ships torpedoed.
December 10th., Japenese troops overun Guam, British Battleship Prince of Wales sinks of Singapore
December 11th, Germany and Italy declare war with the United States.
December 12th,. German occupying Army search homes for Jews in Paris, France.
December 13th,. U-81 torpedoes British Aircraft Carrier Ark Royal
December 14th., 1st. NFL Division playoff, Bears beat the Packers 33-14, U-557 torpedoes British Cruiser Galatea. Churchill travels to US aboard HMS Duke of York
December 15th., German Sub U-127 sinks, US sub USS Swordfish sinks Japanese Ship, The American Federation of Labor adopts a no-strike policy in war industries.
December 16th., Sarawak occupied by Japanese
December 17th., German sub U-31 sunk, Rommel retreating in North Africa.
December 18th., German sub U-434 sinks, Japanese troops land in Hong Kong.
December 19th., Hitler takes complete control of German Army, US office of Censorship created to control information pertaining to WW II.
December 20th., First Battle of the famous "Flying Tigers" in Kunming China.
December 21st., Chicago Bears win the NFL Championship, German sub U-567 sinks.
December 22nd., Japans invasion Leader lands on Luzon in the Phillipines.
December 23rd., Churchill arrives in Washington, DC for a wartime conference. American Forces on Wake Island surrender to Japanese.
December 24th., 1st ships of Admiral Nagumo's Pearl Harbor Invasion Fleet return to Japan.
December 25th., Christmas, Japanese announce the surrender of British-Canadian Garrison in Hong Kong.
December 26th., Winston Churchill becomes 1st British Priminister to address a joint meeting of Congress.
December 27th., Japan bombs Manilla, even though it was declared an open city, Dmitri Sjostakovitsj completes his 7th Symphony.
December 28th., State of Siege exists in Bohemia/Moravia
December 29th., Soviet Marines and Infantry landed at Feodosia, but failed to capture Sevastopol.
December 30th., Winston Churchill addresses Canadian Parliament, Nazi require Dutch Physicians to join Nazi organization.
December 31st., Young Park in the Bronx named in honor of Samuel Young.
Papa Dennis Says:
A December that all of us hope never to repeat.

"Over-weight child or Brilliant Student", You be the Judge

2011-12-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

The second grade was a particularly interesting period in my live. I was a big kid for my age and not just a little over-weight.

At Clifftop Elementary School, the second and third grade were in the same room. All of the Third grade kids were on the right side of the room and the second graders were on the left of the room.

The teacher was one of the most feared in the school. She was one of the older teachers with graying hair and a nasty attitude. By todays standards, she would have been put in prison for child abuse. It was not uncommon for her to grab a child by the hair on his or her head and jerk them out of their chair. She also liked to crack the back of your hand with a ruler. Neither of these is the reason for my judgement that she needed to be locked up. Her treatment of a female student who was mentally challenged does indeed lead me to this assessment. She would grab the Joyce by the hair of the head and jerk her out of her seat, turn her desk over in the floor, and shove her into a dark closet and close the door. This was nearly a daily routine. I bring this to your attention so that you can truly understand the craziness of the story that I am about to tell.

On the first day of school, I reported to the classroom where the second and third grade were taught. I was informed to take a chair on the left hand side of the room. The chairs were all desks with the seat and table all one piece. The desks on the left side of the room were smaller than the desks on the right side of the room. The teacher took a whack at my wrist with the ruler and sent me across the room to a desk that fit. So there I am as a second grader sitting in the third grade section because I am big and fat. The teacher never bothered to move me back into the rows with the second grade and she failed to remember that I was a second grader. Thus all year long, I was given third grade work and managed to pass.

Now comes the most insane part of this story. When the school year ended and we were given our grade cards, I was miraculously promoted to the fourth grade. My Mom was so proud because I was such a good student that I was promoted from the second grade to the fourth grade.

I just couldn't bring myself to tell mom that it was a stupid teacher's mistake caused by the fact that her son was too big for the second grade chairs. Who would believe the story anyway.

In High School, I was a senior and sixteen and turned 17 mid way through my Senior year. I graduated from High School in 1966. On facebook, because of my age they keep offering to find members of the 1967 Graduating Class.

Now you understand the Title to the Story. "Over-weight child or Brilliant Student" You be the Judge.

What a wonderful Life and I hope that you have many happy, amazing stories to tell.

Pappa Dennis Says "Our daily lives are our stories" "May all of Yours be Happy Ones"

Labor Day? What is That? Why do we celebrate Labor Day?

2011-08-13T13:50:00.051-04:00

Why would someone want to celebrate working? Most of us who currently have jobs and are working wonder about the saneness of celebrating doing labor.

Would you be shocked to find out that most of the unrest in the World is caused by people who cannot find work?

Labor Day is a Federal Holiday, that is observed on the first Monday in September (September 5 in 2011).

The first Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, in Boston by the nation's first integrated major trade union called the Central Labor Union of New York.

The real reason that it became a Federal Holiday was as always Politically Motivated.

It became a federal holiday in 1894, when the US Military and the US Marshall's Office killed a number of workers while attempting to end the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with the labor movement as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress and was unanimously signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.

National Guard Protecting Building in Chicago during Pullman Strike

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

In the past and at the beginning the holiday was often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Labor Organizations promote their political agendas by requesting canditates to attend their holiday celebrations and give speechs.

Today, It is still regarded as a day of picnics and barbecues. Labor Day is considered by most Americans as the last day of Summer and the last day that public pools are open. American families view it as the last opportunity to travel with the family before school starts. Young adults and teenagers view it as the last party weekend prior to school starting. High Society and the fashionable believe it to be the last day to fashionably wear white.

In summary Labor Day in the United States began as a day to honor those of our great nation that toil every day to run the industries, that common man who makes the wheels roll and planes fly and provide all the needs for our our lifes needs.

Papa Dennis says: Have a wonder Labor Day and God Bless all of you who work hard every day to make this country what it is today.

Material for this post were gathered from multiple sources and is accurate as recorded history can be.

Facts about the Fourth of July, Independence Day

2011-07-01T16:59:00.000-04:00

Few People remember that The Second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2nd, 1776.

John Adams said of July 2nd that it "will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America."

However the public vote on the Declaration of Independence took place on July 4th thus cementing it in history as the day that America celebrates its independence.

Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

hen in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
— John Hancock
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton
Massachusetts:
John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott
New York:
William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean
Maryland:
Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton
North Carolina:
William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

Larry Wayne Cool, Electronic Technician 3rd Class lost at sea, I miss you friend. You are not forgotten.

2011-06-05T22:48:00.000-04:00

Amazing coincidence, --- or Not --- I think so.

USS Frank E. Evans

Because of Barbara Green Trimble LeFevre's post to The Clifftop West Virginia Memories Group showing her and Larry Cool at the Park and then more posts about the pictures, I started a search yesterday, June 3rd, to find out more about the training accident that took Larry's life. I didn't know the date or the name of the ship and had trouble finding information. I finally found it and ironically, Larry was lost at sea on June 3, 1969 while serving aboard the USS Frank E. Evans. Larry was an Electronic Technician 3rd Class and his body was among those not recovered when the Australian Aircraft Carrier Melbourne collided with the USS Frank E. Evans in a Training Exercise in the South China Sea. The USS Frank E. Evans was ordered off the gun line on the Coast of Vietnam to take part in the training mission Operation Sea Spirit. Because the 74 American Sailors were on a training mission, their names were not added to the wall commemorating those who lost their lives in Vietnam. I tried once to have them added and will try again. Isn't it amazing, that something moved me to look up this information exactly 42 years later on the day of the collision.

I am unable to find a picture of Larry Wayne Cool, one of my best friends as a kid growing up in Clifftop, West Virginia. I will post one if I find one, and I know I have one some where.

Last known photo of USS Frank E. Evans taken from HMAS Melbourne, 1969

USS Frank E. Evans with it's Bow missing and tied to the USS TAWASA -- Bow missing is an understatement, since there is more of the ship gone than what remains afloat.

Here is a link to those who were lost in the collision, as well as others.

Com7th Fleet Vietnam Ship Casualties - US Naval Ships

Memorial Day Parade in Thomasville, North Carolina honors Serice Men and Women

2011-05-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

It was a hot 90 degree day with bright sunshine and a huge crowd on hand to honor service men and women. The sign on the Speakers Gazebo says "Heros, They Gave All for American Freedom" Special seating was provided for family members of fallen service men and women. The family members were escorted to their seats by members of the Young Marines doing Community Service because it is the right thing to do.

Members of the Davidson CountyYoung Marines and General Nathaniel Greene Young Marines escorted the families of service members killed in action at the Thomasville, North Carolina Memorial Day Parade both to their seats and then provided walk along escort for the families the entire length of the Parade, sometimes running along side to keep up.

Here are some of the pictures of the Parade, the Marine Color Guard, Medal of Honor Recipient - Rudolpho Hernandez, and a mockup of an Air Force Cargo Transport Air Craft.

A float depicting US Marines planting the flag atop Mount Suribachi on IWO JIMA , a mockup of a US Navy Submarine, and a US Army Huey helicopter.

Oh yes yours truly participated in my capacity as Adult Leader for the Young Marines and also the Commander of the General Nathaniel Green unit, Greg Ross, (running here to catch up with the front group of young marines. Taking the picture just in front of me is Staff member Angela Coble, who is our unit's Adjutant. "It was a really long parade". Thanks to Debbie Lester for taking most of the pictures shown in this post.

An American Soldier

Papa Dennis Says it was an excellent way to spend the morning.

Memorial Day, Why do we celebrate it? Why is it more often called Memorial Day Weekend

2011-05-28T19:35:00.002-04:00

First I will ask this question. Does anyone truly care? Do you truly care?

I do. I am a part of the "Quiet Few", who still believe in honoring those individuals who paid the ultimate price to provide you and me with a place to live where we are free to do most anything that doesn't infringe on our fellow American's Freedom. What does Memorial Day have to do with it?

Here is a short history of Memorial Day. It is one of the few holidays that most agree that can not be traced to one person, one city, or to one originator.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

Memorial Day was originally a day for honoring Civil War dead by decorating their graves. Both Northern and Southern States celebrated the occasion. The day for the celebration was never defined by the North or the South and States celebrated it by their own choice. Memorial Day was celebrated as a day of reconciliation and coming together to honor those who gave their all and it mattered not whether they wore the Blue or the Gray.

There is evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's (Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states.

The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Field" Moina Michael replied with her own poem.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Afterwards, Moina Michael conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war.

Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966.

It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

The Holiday Act of 1971 states that Memorial Day will be celebrated on the last Monday of May, thereby ensuring that Memorial Day will create a long weekend holiday.

A white house memorandum to the heads of the Executive Branches of our Government in 2000 announced the program called "National Moment of Remembrance" who's purpose was to ask all Americans to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect at 3 P.M. local time on Memorial day.

The "Memorial Day Weekend" which was ensured by the "Holiday Act of 1971" has lost it's meaning for most Americans. Many Americans today, have forgotten the purpose of it's origin and are more into the long holiday weekend. Most believe that it is a weekend to show respect to all of their own family who have passed away.

Many people feel that the Holiday Act of 1971 is most responsible for Americans forgetting the meanings and traditions of Memorial Day. There are groups that believe that instead of it being celebrated on the last Monday in May, that it should be celebrated once again on the 30th of May. Actually, Senator Inouye from Alaska introduced bill "S 189 to the Senate" which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance to May 30th, no matter what day it falls on. Representative Gibbons introduced House (H.R. 1474) for the same purpose. These bills were introduced in 1999, but no further action on the bills has occurred.

We sincerely need to observe Memorial Day and honor those that have fallen to preserve our way of life here in America and around the World.

There is no need to wait till Memorial Day to have a moment of silence for those who have fallen in defense of our country. You may want to listen to the woeful sound of "TAPS" during your moment of silence.

Click on the link. TAPS

Papa-Dennis-Says: How much of the cost of one gallon of gasoline is State and Federal Taxes

2011-05-16T21:49:00.000-04:00

Papa-Dennis-Says: How much of the cost of one gallon of gasoline is State and Federal Taxes

How much of the cost of one gallon of gasoline is State and Federal Taxes

2011-05-16T21:48:00.000-04:00

Both the United States Federal Government and each state government have levied a tax on gasoline. When you buy a gallon of gasoline 18.4 cents per gallon goes to the Federal Government since January 1 2011.

State taxes vary and I will provide a sample of them below. As you can see there is a wide difference from State to State and the retail cost seems to follow the tax rate. These State rates were also accurate on January 1 2011.

It is apparent from the table above that the State and Federal Government makes very good money from the sale of gasoline.

The Oil Companies and the Gasoline Producing Plants are making lots of money in our free enterprise system. Based on the table above, it doesn’t appear to me to be in the best interest of any of our state governments or the Federal government to intervene.

Free Enterprise is based on Supply and Demand. We the people must find ways to decrease the need for gasoline and the cost per gallon should decrease as demand decreases.

Papa Dennis Says “We Can Do”

Alternative Sources of Energy - Beginning of Green

2011-05-10T21:52:00.001-04:00

Post by Papa Dennis "Initial investigation"

Everyone seems to agree that for turning to Solar or Wind Power devices will be the primary alternative energy sources for the home. In most cases these energy sources will not totally replace the need for commercial power.

So I began to search for other methods of reducing the cost of energy for us all. One of my searches led to a URL http://www.shopelectricityratestexas.com/ . Since my location is North Carolina, I at first disregarded the finding. Then as I continued my search, it dawned on me that I have two daughters who lives in Texas that might actually benefit from the site.

I actually put my North Carolina Zip Code into the electricity rates check at to see what response I would get and it returned an I'm sorry your zip code is out of our area.

However it does appear that the Shop Electrical Rates - Texas Web Site may be a way for people to save some money and have some choices who are in the zip codes in Texas that they cover. The site lists Tips for conserving power for those who need the help. Deregulation seems to have opened the door to competition among the electrical providers in Texas.

Hope my girls check this out and provide some feed back.

Papa Dennis Says.

Today in History "May 9"

2011-05-09T19:29:00.001-04:00

Today may be one of the biggest moments in recent history for West Virginia. The associated press reports that officials are planning to break ground today, May 9 2011 for a new coal-to-gas plant in Gilbert, West Virginia.

The Logan Banner reported that the plant is expected to triple the tax base in Mingo County. The new coal-to-gas plant will be the first of it's kind in the US.

The Coal Liquification Plant is expected to create nearly 300 full time jobs and will convert 7500 tons of regional coal per day into ultra-clean gasoline.

This might be the industry break through that will rejuvenate the West Virginia economy, and finally provide jobs that are not minimum wage positions.

Papa Dennis Says

Charles Roger Hargreaves, famous author of Children's Books

2011-05-09T11:51:00.001-04:00

Charles Roger Hargreaves (9 May 1935 – 11 September 1988)

Mr. Hargreaves was a British author and illustrator of children's books, notably the Mr. Men and Little Miss series, intended for very young readers is being honored today by Google. Today would have been Mr. Hargreaves' 76th birthday.

Mr. Hargreaves' ambition was to be a cartoonist and his 1st character, Mr. Tickle was created in 1971. It is said that Mr. Tickle was inspired by his son who asked Mr. Hargreaves what a tickle looked like. Mr. Hargreaves created Mr. Tickle who was an orange round body with long rubbery arms and a constant smile.

Papa Dennis Says

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers out there

2011-05-08T11:46:00.001-04:00

My mother was a great lady, who made a positive influence on everyone she met. She was a Christian lady, and God made sure that she was tested by her three sons during her life-time.

Though I am sure that we disappointed her many times, there was no time that any of us felt unloved or unwanted. No one entered our home hungry, who did not leave fed.

She believed that her sins here on earth were forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross. She did not preach a lot, but I never left her home that we did not have a moment of prayer. I firmly believe that through here prayer, God laid a protective cover over her three sons, because there were a lot of near death experiences in all of our lives. Her life was a testimony of Christian faith and good will. There is no doubt that she is in heaven now and receiving her most deserved reward.

Mother I loved you when you were with us, and I love and miss you now.

Papa Dennis Says

Fun and Adventure was the agenda for the Back Packing Trip.

2011-05-02T18:41:00.009-04:00

Fun and Adventure was the agenda for the Back Packing Trip. See the pictures in the collage

Pictures of General Nathanael Greene Young Marines

A fun time was had by everyone. We are all better for the trip and the adventure.

See The additional Post "Youth Group attends a challenging encampment"

Papa-Dennis-Says

Humourous Episode in School. Education, Humor, and imagination are keys

2011-05-01T20:56:00.000-04:00

Between 1962 and 1966 in a very small High School in the Nuttall District of Fayette County, West Virginia, a young student along with the rest of the class was taking a test.

Surprisingly, the answers to the questions seemed to be easy to find. The student was unaware that the grasp of this economic class information had actually registered.

Test finished, and according to the teachers instructions, the student stood up and went to the front of the room and laid his test on the corner of the desk with the few others that were completed.

Bashfully, the student bent towards the teacher and asked to be allowed to go to the restroom.

Rudely the teacher answered loud enough for those still taking the test to hear.

The students desk was just in front of a door that let into the furnace room and the desks were the kind in science labs. Each desk had a water spiget in the middle of the desk. Two students sat at each desk. The student knew that it was near bell time so the student opened the door ran some water into a trash can and slid the trash can through the open door. He then got out of his seat and crawled in-under the desk.

The teacher received the last papers and looked up to see that their was no one sitting at the students desk and the door was open to the furnace room.

She quickly went to the door of the furnace room and shouted for the student. The Bell rang, and the student went down the aisle towards the door. All of the other students waited till he passed and then gathered in the aisle to file out slowly, while the teacher struggled to get to the males bathroom door. There she staged herself to wait for the guilty student, who actually went directly to his next class at the Gym where he quickly went into the bathroom and took care of business.

There is no morale to this story, except that even teenagers see when adults are just showing there power and without any guidance all became willing participants in the p_ss mystery.

The teacher filed her complaint but was unable to provide enough evidence to have the student disciplined.

Papa-Dennis-Says

Youth Group attends a challenging encampment

2011-05-01T19:51:00.006-04:00

It was a challenging encampment with a 3 mile hike with full back-packs. The terrain was challenging.
Check out the pictures as we hiked along the trail.

Then for a class on how to prepare and eat MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). Followed by more classes in the Use of the Compass followed by a challenging course set up by the staff with some unexpected what if's thrown in. The Young Marines were taught how to determine distance by walking it off and counting steps. This was followed by Use of Common Field Tools. Setting up a camp area and by using team work were able to accomplish this in an extremely short time. Constructing a shelter from what ever materials you have with you, building a fire, Team Building Activities. All participants were exhausted by the time we broke camp this Sunday Morning May 1, 2011. Equipment and tents had to be carried from the parking area to the campsite which was about 2 tenths of a mile.

Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster at Ansted, West Virginia

2011-04-29T20:39:00.010-04:00

Hawks Nest Tunnel Disaster

Ellie the Elephant and Dennis at Lovers Leap overlook in Ansted, West Virginia.

Ellie at the Lovers Leap sign Source: http://papa-dennis-says.blogspot.com/

You can see the Dam at Tunnel Entrance behind Dennis and Ellie in the background. You can get to this overlook from the Hawks Nest State Park Lodge where they also have an Aerial Tram to the Marina at the Bottom of the New River Gorge.

Here is a picture of the Tunnel Entrance at the Dam below Lovers Leap overlook at Ansted WV.

Another view of the same picture above, not quite as clear but taken in 2011 by Dennis Lester

The Picture below is of actual tunnel prior to diverting river through it. Notice that it obviously done with crude tools. Picks, Shovels, Hand Augers and explosives were used to cut through the mountain. This picture showing Hawks Nest Tunnel interior Source: http://img.geocaching.com/cache/3908_200.jpg shows the Tunnel

http://img.geocaching.com/cache/3908_200.jpg; accessed May 7, 2009.

http://img.geocaching.com/cache/3908_200.jpg; accessed May 7, 2009.

Hawks Nest Tunnel Workers Source: http://www.asmalldoseof.org/historyoftox/1900-1930s/hawkminers.jpg

Another picture of Hawks Nest Tunnel Workers Source: http://www.semp.us/images/Biot622PhotoG.jpg

Here is a picture of the Tunnel outlet at the bottom of Gauley Mountain. In the foreground is the emergency pop-off valve and behind it is the electrical substation and Ellie, the elephant, is perched on a guard rail post along US Route 60 also known as Midland Trail. Source: http://papa-dennis-says.blogspot.com/

Drilled through three miles of solid rock, the Hawks Nest Tunnel is a major hydroelectric water diversion tunnel and an engineering marvel. Largely constructed between 1930 and 1932, the project engaged almost 5,000 workers, consisting of local men and a majority of migrant workers, most of them southern blacks. The tunnel was part of a complex to generate power for Union Carbide’s electro-metallurgical plant in nearby Alloy. It was the largest construction project that had been licensed to that time in West Virginia, and it became the site of one of the worst industrial tragedies in the history of the United States.

The Hawks Nest Tunnel became an important part of the labor culture of the 1930s, generating a novel and several short stories, as well as songs and several weeks of national news stories when the extent of the tragedy came to public light. The tunnel continues to operate and provide power to the Elkem Metals Corporation, the current owner of the Alloy plant. A study published in 1986 indicates that as many as 764 men may have died from acute silicosis and related conditions, that was caused from working in the tunnel.

One of the books was " Witness at Hawks Nest" by Milton, WV native Dwight Harshbarger - A Historical Fiction Novel

We must learn from our mistakes. We have indeed made a few.

Papa-Dennis-Says

This Story is especially for you.

2011-04-28T23:47:00.002-04:00

Woke up this mornin’. Looked up and wondered why get up. Feel so sleepy, and tired. Got-a-go to the bathroom. Guess that’s a decision that won’t need to be made. Either get up or lay in it. So stiff, everything seems to hurt. When did getting’ up become such a miserable event? Is there any hope that something good is going to happen? What are the odds that this day will be any different than yesterday, and yesterday really sucked and lasted what seemed forever. I was totally bored out of my mind. Wow! Need a crowbar to get my eyes open. Where’s the motivation to begin another miserable day. “INCOMING” !!!!! “INCOMING” !!!!! “INCOMING” !!!!!

Do you get my point? You're probably waking up in a bed, not a fox-hole, or bunker. The enemy is being kept at bay for you. Today is a great day, even if you do have some aches and pains. The alternative is not waking up and neither you nor I want to go there, yet. Jump up out of the bed and make something positive happen. Today will be better than yesterday, if you and I make it better. Anything else is unacceptable.

Papa Dennis Says,

OOOhhhhh-Raaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

Can Do

Marines, Semper Fi!

God Bless

Are We There, Yet?

2011-04-27T23:32:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wondered why? Sure you have…. We’ve all been there… As kids, we worried our parents and every adult, that we came contact with nearly to death. Children are full of questions and want to know about everything.

Why is the Sky Blue?

What causes clouds?

Will I ever be as old as you?

How come you’re so smart?

If you're so smart, and know everything, then how come you’re not rich?

Okay!!! It’s time to fess up. Last weekend was Easter of 2011. All of my daughters, except one were able to spend Easter enjoying each other’s company and like so many other times in my life, I was reminded how very much I love them and how easy it is for we adults / parents to influence our children in one way or another. One of my grand-sons and two of my grand-daughters were also there.

I was reminded of a question that my three older daughters once asked me. There mother had given birth to their sister in a hospital in Clifton Forge Virginia and their Aunt had bragged that she was older and would get to see their new born sister before them. They were extremely upset.

Their mother was in labor for what seemed forever and the nurses on the floor all knew me by first name. I had walked the floor with the expectant mother for hours and hours. Nurses on all three shifts had watched the expectant mother and me walk up and down the hall counting floor tiles. I made an arrangement to smuggle the girls up to the maternity ward for a look at their little sister. There were rules and there were beautiful, compassionate nurses who really, really cared, and were willing to adjust the rules just slightly.

So the older sisters, all three of them were able to see baby sister first in spite of what their Aunt had been telling them.

Now comes the show stopping, all time greatest question ever asked by three beautiful daughers. “Daddy, I know where mommy carried the baby for nine months, but just where does it come out”??

Whoowh!!!! I think that is probably the day that I started losing my hearing.

I thought for a moment and said “You know that is a really excellent question”. Since, I have never really been present during a birth, I don’t know exactly. When your mommy gets home, lets ask her.

There is really no moral to this cowardly response of mine, but I will make this point.

We should do what ever it takes to prevent anyone from stopping a child’s inquisitiveness.

Why do Children eventually lose their desire to learn? I think because we chastise them for asking all the questions. Don’t do it. Just say ask your mother. No, I’m just kidding. Help them find their answers, you and them will become smarter and better.

Papa Dennis Says “God Bless”

If you enjoy these stories, please post a comment and let me know.

Am I Wise or Foolish, God grant me the wisdom to know the difference ---- Or ---- Go Fly a Kite

2011-04-19T23:06:00.005-04:00

What makes you think Benjamin Franklin was so intelligent?

There is a fine line between brilliance and foolishness.

God grant me wisdom and perhaps I can tell the difference.

How many of you, in a frightening thunder and lightning storm, would go fly a kite with a piece of metal attached to the line to attract lightning.

On the other hand without his willingness to take chances, few of his inventions and discoveries would have been made.

It was Ben Franklin who, at a critical impasse during the Constitutional Convention in June 1787, attempted to introduce the practice of daily common prayer with these words:

... In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. -- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. ... And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance. I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: ...I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.

Strengthening The Lives of Americas Youth

2011-04-18T11:40:00.021-04:00

With it's focus on character building, leadership, and promotion of a healthy, drug-free lifestyle, the Young Marines Organization is a first rate youth program. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls, ages 8 through completion of high school.

The program focuses on character building, leadership, and promotes a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Discipline, Leadership, and Teamwork are the Core Values of the Young Marines.

In this photo this Greensboro, North
Carolina Unit received training at
a local fire department.

The Young Marine Organization teaches the young boys and girls to respect themselves, each other, and everything within their environment.

The program is is the focal point for the U.S. Marine Corps' youth Drug Demand Reduction efforts. The Young Marines has been the proud recipient of the Department of Defense's Fulcrum Shield Award for Excellence in Youth Anti-Drug Programs.

For more information about the Young Marine Organization visit http://www.youngmarines.com/

Always Faithful, "Semper Fidelis"

I Love my Job

2011-04-18T00:31:00.000-04:00

I am a Computer Technician and I really love my job. It is a very challenging and rewarding job. The other day I was trying to help one of our salesmen who was experiencing trouble connecting to the internet. We were communicating by telephone and he was in Canada and I was in North Carolina. I was having difficulty communicating because the salesman's primary language was French and mine is West Virginia Southern English Slang.

I was trying to get the gentleman to close a box that was open on his screen. There were two buttons that could be clicked on to close the box or at least I believed there were, so I asked him if there were and he said yes I can choose OK or Cancel.

I told him to say OK. I heard him repeat OK. I waited a few seconds and asked if the box was still open. He said that it was. I told him to say OK. He said OK. I realized that he was taking me literally and had to mute the phone while I roared with laughter. I heard him say on the phone, "Are you still There"? I unmuted the phone and said to use his mouse to move his cursor over the button that said OK and right click. The Salesman said OK and I totally lost it. When I recovered, I had to transfer the call to a colleague to finish helping the salesman.

Is it Time? The Redneck's interpretation of the English Language or it's misuse.

2011-04-17T14:14:00.001-04:00

Am I the only one who has a problem with the methods that The Marketing Industry, The Television Industry, The News Media, The Magazine Industry are using to push their agendas. Oh and we mustn't leave out the politicians. Here are a few "Smart Ellick Remarks from Papa Dennis". ---- Enjoy, and post your comments, and if you have more ideas for this post, please share them. """"""""It's "Free"."""""""""

I'm headed out to all of the businesses that are advertising "buy one get one free". The goal of my trip is to stop and pick up the "free one".
I am so frustrated watching the weather forecaster say "As You Know". Really!!!! If I knew what the weather was going to be tomorrow, I wouldn't be tuned in to the weather. ----- As you know ----
I turn on the News and listen to the News Anchor tell what stories are in the news. I stay tuned for an hour and listen to commercials and banter between newsmen and newswomen, but they forgot to complete the news stories or end up saying that it will be covered in a later Broadcast. I think I will just do like others did in the good old days --- Find out from a neighbor.
I have been trying to find archived news articles from the area where I grew up. It seems that the majority of the of News organizations archive only the obituaries. Isn't that a little morbid???

More to Follow.......

Excitement from the Year 1896 in Clifftop, Fayette County, West Virginia

2011-04-16T17:27:00.003-04:00

This Clipping from “The Saint Paul Globe” dated Sept 28, 1896 and preserved by the Minnesota Historical society is a rare find. There is almost no historical news or references that I can find to the town of Clifftop, West Virginia. I find two reasons for making the assessment, that this is a rare find. One is I find it rare for a newspaper to report this story from so far away unless it was a significant story in that day. Two is that if you are familiar with the area where the robbery occurred ti was on a West Virginia Road, and not a Pennsylvania road, and I have no idea what town was eight miles away, certainly not Saint Paul Minnesota, nor any towns in Pennsylvania.

Though it really isn’t funny, I find the last three sentences of this news article especially descriptive.

LONE TRAIN ROBBER

HE HOLDS UP A PAY TRAIN AND

MURDERS THE PAYMASTER.

MADE A HAUL OF $2,800.

DARING ROBBBRY SUCCESSFULLY

EXECUTED

ON A PENNSYLVANIA ROAD

CHARLESTON, W. Va., Sept. 27.—

A daring hold-up occurred on the Short

Line railway, between Sewall and Cliff-

Top, eight miles from this city, yesterday.

Joe Thompson, who came from

the West about a year ago, learned

that W. L. Wilson, bookkeeper and pay

|master of the Longdale Iron company,

at Cliff top, was going up the road in

the afternoon to pay off the men. Wil-

son had $2,800 with him and rode on

the engine. When the train reached a

Lonely spot in the mountains, Thomp-

son, who had boarded the train, held

up all those in the engine at the point

of two revolvers. He suddenly grabbed

the money from Wilson and jumped

from the engine. Wilson shot at

Thompson twice and missed him.

Thompson returned the fire, shooting

Wilson fatally. Thompson made good

his escape, and Wilson is dying tonight.

A posse is in pursuit, and a lynching

is expected.